Moving to the UAE from India: what India requires and what changes in the UAE

The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi sets out how a UAE employer recruits Indian male workers who hold ECR passports (Emigration Check Required) through India's eMigrate system.[source] In short: the employer registers on eMigrate, the employment contract is generated in the system, the employer or worker takes out PBBY insurance, and the application goes to a Protector of Emigrants (POE) office, which gives the clearance.[source]

Before recruiting, the employer has to check the job title against India's minimum wage criteria in eMigrate.[source] We have not copied the amounts here; check them in eMigrate for your job title.

PBBY insurance. The Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana is mandatory for ECR category workers going to work in ECR countries.[source] It covers Rs. 10 lakh for accidental death or permanent disability, for a premium of Rs. 275 for two years or Rs. 375 for three years.[source]

Not yet verified Which passports are ECR or ECNR, and what ECNR holders need to do before leaving. We have not checked this against an official source yet, so we state no rule here.

The UAE requires educational certificates issued in India to be attested before it grants a visa. The Indian Embassy describes two routes.[source]

1. In India: the concerned State Government authority authenticates the certificate, then the Ministry of External Affairs attests it (Patiala House, New Delhi), then the UAE Embassy in New Delhi or the UAE Consulate in Mumbai.[source][source]
2. In the UAE: after the State Government and Ministry of External Affairs steps in India, the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi or the Consulate General in Dubai attests it, for further attestation by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.[source]

Not yet verified Whether the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs must also attest a certificate after the New Delhi or Mumbai route. Ask the authority that requested the document.

In the UAE (mainland, under the federal Labour Law). The employer may not charge you recruitment or employment fees, directly or indirectly.[source] Recruiting workers needs a licence from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.[source]

In the DIFC. Subject to the exceptions in Article 21(3), the DIFC Employment Law bars the employer from recouping its recruitment costs from the employee.[source]

In India. The Ministry of External Affairs page on recruiting agents says an agent's service charge may not exceed 45 days' wages under the employment contract, up to Rs. 20,000.[source] (partly verified) We have not checked this amount against the Emigration Rules themselves, which may set a different cap. Ask the POE office before you pay an agent anything.

The Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendra (PBSK) helpline is free from within the UAE and open 24 hours: 800 46342.[source] It helps with passport application status, job offer verification, free legal advice, and financial and psychological counselling.[source] It also takes email (pbsk.dubai@mea.gov.in) and WhatsApp (00971-543090571).

The Embassy in Abu Dhabi handles the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The Consulate General in Dubai handles Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain.[source] The Consulate is at Al Hamriya Diplomatic Enclave, Post Box No. 737, Dubai.[source]

Not yet verified We have not yet checked official sources on sending money to India from the UAE (licensed exchange houses, banks, NRE and NRO accounts), so this section states no rules. We compare no rates and link to no providers.

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) exchanges driving licences from 57 countries for a UAE licence. The announcement gives the count but not the list of countries.[source]

Not yet verified Whether an Indian licence can be exchanged in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Check the RTA list before you assume an exchange. See Driving and transport.